Senior Mental Health Liaison Practitioner

Job overview

An exciting 12 month secondment opportunity to work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to provide an effective and efficient response to referrals from the Emergency Department and Medical wards in the Acute trust. To assess, risk manage and appropriately refer on and signpost all patients referred who need assessment and/or follow up from mental health services in line with the core 24 model. As part of the team to ensure the development of an effective interface between the team and other mental health services, and contribute to the development of the team’s gateway and assessment role. To provide information and clinical support to police and ambulance staff in order to help them make appropriate decisions.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to provide an effective and efficient response to referrals from the Emergency Department and Medical wards in the Acute trust. To assess, risk manage and appropriately refer on and signpost all patients referred who need assessment and/or follow up from mental health services. As part of the team to ensure the development of an effective interfaces between the team and other mental health services, and contribute to the development of the team’s gateway and assessment role. To provide information and clinical support to police and ambulance staff in order to help them make appropriate decisions. The role at times will involve working between the boroughs when service provision requires it

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

If you are a registered mental health professional with experience in assessing and supporting individuals of any age, either children and young people, working age or older adults and would like to be part of a growing and developing service we would like to hear from you. You will be able to undertake comprehensive mental health assessments and risk assessments, develop effective risk management plans, provide brief interventions and appropriately signpost and make onward referrals for individuals who come through the range of services within the general hospital. The role is extremely varied and provides a unique opportunity to develop skills across different service areas. The focus of the team is supporting people to receive high quality care in a holistic and person centered way. There is an emphasis on working with non-mental health colleagues within the hospital, sharing knowledge and skills and advocating for the mental health and wellbeing of service users.

As part of this dynamic and progressive multidisciplinary team you will also be involved in effective interfacing between teams, other mental health services and agencies such as the Police, NWAS and the local authority. This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the development of an expanding service offer supported by additional investment.

As part of the Liaison Mental Health service you can expect professional support and development in this exciting and challenging area of work. You will be joining a friendly and supportive team at Tameside General Hospital and will receive regular management and clinical supervision and have opportunities to engage in CPD. As a valued member of the liaison team you will be fully involved in all service developments and given opportunities to support quality improvement.

The service runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so posts will be worked on a shift basis with 24 hour working required including bank holidays, weekends and some rotational night duties.

Main Duties and Responsibilities To assess the patient’s mental health needs and aid access to the appropriate service. To help manage any presenting risks and liaise with any family and agencies as needed. To ensure safe discharge of patients back to the GP where appropriate. To participate in the prioritisation of referrals to the team and management of the workload. To provide effective, evidence based assessments and short-term interventions (if appropriate) for people requiring a mental health service. To be responsible for own record keeping standards and in-putting to information systems. To participate in the service development of the team, and take part in team business and practice meetings. To contribute to learning outcomes for student placements within the team. To ensure adherence to operational policies and participate in audits to monitor quality of care. To support recording of performance information and to look for opportunities to support the role; which will give impetus to fund it past its current term.

This job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role. Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time. The duties of the post and job description can be reviewed through the agreed process.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.